Dehumidifying system



W. H. GRAVERT DEHUMIDIFYING SYSTEM Filed Jan. l2, 1952 Nov. 22, 1955 mwdd NEM@ Z O wJDaOMa 2,42

WIWAT wuawwma 16.1 MAM 7% N.. /IHW mw L M. M /W Unid States Patent No DEHUMIDIFYING SYSTEM William H. Graver't, Port `Washngton, N. Y., assigner tu Charles S. Schmucklen Long flsland City, N. Y.

Application January 12, 1952, Serial No. 266,162 4-Claims. (Cl. -62-140) This invention relates to a dehumidifying system and more particularly to a system for eliminating moisture caused by condensation in marine propulsion gear casings and the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide means for condensing and removing moisture and other types of condensible vapor from gases entering engines, gear cases, and the like.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a continuous operating system for the efficient removal of vapors from the propulsion and gear drive systems of marine engines, and the like.

A further object `of my invention is to provide a multiple stage condensing type gear case dehydrator for marine propulsion units, and the like.

A more detailed object of the present invention is to provide means for continuously dehydrating vapors and condensing any moisture therefrom and eliminating the resultant condensation products.

Other features and objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which there is shown a diagrammatic view of the assembly of a preferred form of the present invention.

A main propulsion gear case 10, such as is generally used in marine engines on ships, and the like, is shown, in which the lubricating oil `is constantly in motion due to the movement of the gears and the like in the casing. Such agitation of the oil causes contact of the same with the air above the oil and under these conditions moisture in the air above the oil is absorbed by the oil ultimately causing corrosion of the casing, gear assembly and associated parts.

I provide an outlet conduit 11 connected with the upper or air part of the gear casing 10, which conduit 11 in turn is connected to a multiple system refrigerating and condensing unit 12 through which the air from casing and conduit 11 is passed. There is provided an outlet conduit 13 connected to the unit 12 for the exit of the dehydrated gases or vapors through said conduit 13. Said conduit 13 in turn is connected with a suction blower 14 from which extends another air conduit 15. Connected to said conduit 15 and in line therewith is an air damper 16 which regulates the flow of air into the line, From said air damper 16 is provided a return conduit 17 which leads back to gear case 10. It will be noted that there is a continuous recycling of the air from the casing 10 whereby the moisture in said air as it leaves the casing is removed and the dehydrated air is returned at atmospheric pressure to the casing through the entry port 18.

Said unit 12 comprises a housing provided with temperature recorder or thermometer 19 and cooling mechanisms 2t) and 21 and an inlet and outlet 22 and 23, respectively. Also there is provided another temperature recorder unit 24. Intermediate said coils 20 and 21 there is provided a Freon iin or rib water control unit which is in connection by a conduit 26 with a ternperature control valve 27 and a water control valve 28.

n 2,724,249 Patented Nov. 22, 1955 ICC The cooling unit 20 is provided with salt Water and the like, as a coolant from a cooling water inlet line 29 extending through the control valve 28, forming coils 30 and out through the water discharge line 31. Said line 31 has a valve 32 therein for controlling the escape of water coolant.

Cooling mechanism 21 in unit 12 is provided with a line 33, cooling coil 34, line 35 and valve 35' which are in connection with cooler 36. Said line 33 is provided with valves 37 and 38 and thermostatic expansion valve 39 which is in contact with cooling unit 34. The cooling agent in said line 33, 34 and 35 is recycled by means of compressor 40 which passes the coolant in `the line 35 through valve 41 into cooling tank 36 and back into line 33, via maintenance valves 41, 37 and 38. Said compressor 40 is further provided with high pressure cutout 41a and low pressure cutout 42, respectively. Said cooling tank 36 has its own refrigerant. and coil for reducing the temperature of fluid in lines 33, 34, 35. It is provided with water as a coolant which passes through inlet lines 29 and 42 via refrigerator receiver assembly through tank 36 and out through line 44 and valve 32.

lt will be noted from the foregoing that there is a continuous passage of water through cooling coils 30 wherein the water passes out through water discharge line 3l and that the cooling agent Freon passing through coils 34 is continuously recycled by compressor 40 passing the coolant through tank 36, and lines 33 and 34. The air and moisture entering into the cooling unit 12 through conduit 11 passes through the first stage 20 of the cooling unit into a condenser chamber thereof in which case there is an initial drop in temperature of passing moisture and air from a range of about F. to 80 F., and a drop from 120 F. to 80 dew point. The air and vapor passing through the condenser chamber comes into further contact with the cooling unit 21 whereupon there is a further or second drop in temperature down to about 40 F. and 40 dew point and the condensed moisture or water Vapor is then collected in the trap 45 in sump 46 whereupon it is drained olf through line 47.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that by my invention the whole lubricating oil system is benefited by the elimination of moisture since the water `vapor is removed before it condenses in the oil as it is being agitated. Also corrosion is prevented by my invention and the oxidation of the oil is also prevented thus inhibiting the breakdown of oil into metallic soaps. Still another advantage of my invention hereinabove described is the reduction of oil vapor losses due to the mechanical carrying over of oil by the Water vapor in the air above the gear casing.

By my invention I can also control the temperature and dew point drop of the air being recycled through the unit 12. l may also use any type of coolant other than salt water for cooling mechanism 20, or any other type of coolant than Freon used in cooling mechanism 21.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and illustrated herein, it is to be noted that various changes as to form, arrangement of parts and operation of steps may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In combination, a closed marine gear casing normally operated in a ship floating in sea water, outlet means for withdrawing air from said casing, means for passing said air over a first set of cooling coils, water intake means for continuously taking in sea water, means for passing part of said sea water through said rst set of cooling coils, a second set of cooling coils, a motordriven refrigerating unit including a compressor for passing a refrigerant medium through said second set of cooling coils, means for passing another part of said sea water through said refrigerating unit as a heat exchange medisecond set of coils to further cool said air to chill same to about 40 degrees F. to eliminate moisture therefrom, and meanslfor returning said dehydrated air to said casmg.

2. The invention according to claim 1, including a housing containing both sets of coils, and means in said housing for controlling the ow of water to said first set of cooling coils in accordance with the condition of the cooled air between said two sets of cooling coils.

3. The invention according to claim 2, including temperature and dew point control means in said housing .for controlling dehydration and condensation at the respective stages therein of moisture carried by the air in said housing.

4. The invention according to claim 3, including inlet duct means between said casing and said housing for taking air from said casing, and return duct means between said housing and said casing for returning dehydrated air to said casing, to provide a closed air circulating system,

and blower means in said return duct for continuously circulating the air in said closed system.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,682,183 Parsons Aug. 28, 1928 v 1,863,574 Morse June 21, 1933 2,005,276 Tidmarsh et al. June 18, 1935 2,107,268 Avery Feb. 8, 1938 2,146,483 Philipp Feb. 7, 1939 2,226,753 Ecoif Dec. 31, 1940 

